Good Things joins Virgin Media O2, Internet Matters and Action for Children in new online safety campaign
New research reveals parents’ fear of AI and deepfake threat to children. In response, Virgin Media O2 and Internet Matters, in partnership with Action for Children and Good Things Foundation have created new, free guides to help families stay safe online.
VMO2 launch Find The Right Words campaign
We've partnered with strategic partner Virgin Media O2 (VMO2), as well as online safety advice experts, Internet Matters and leading children’s charity Action for Children for a new online safety campaign.
Find The Right Words helps parents and guardians talk to their children about online safety. It aims to empower parents so they can navigate difficult conversations about online safety and educate themselves about threats.
As well as a short film highlighting the difficulty parents face in explaining online risks to their children (watch the film on the side), VMO2 and the three charities have teamed up to create new, free resources to help families stay safe online.
Parents and guardians want more support to keep kids safe online
The guides were created in response to new Hidden Risks research*, conducted by VMO2 and Internet Matters, after it revealed almost half (48%) of those surveyed want more support to keep their kids safe online. They provide advice for adults on how to have conversations with children and young people about staying safe online and information about online safety tools and controls. The resources are available at http://www.findtherightwords.uk/.
The research surveyed more than 4,000 UK parents and carers of children.
Shocking statistics revealed truth about how safe we feel online
Some of the shocking statistics the research revealed are:
- More than a quarter (26%) of parents and guardians surveyed say they aren’t confident² in protecting their children from deep fakes or other AI risks
- Almost a fifth (19%) noting they ‘don’t know’ what deepfakes are
- 24% unsure of the potential threat deep fakes pose to their children
- Almost half (45%) don’t know how to update privacy settings on social media⁴
- A further half (50%) are unable to change passwords to protect their children’s safety online⁵
The campaign is part of Virgin Media O2’s sustainability strategy, the Better Connections Plan, and the company’s aim to improve the digital skills of six million people by the end of 2025.
*Survey data:
The research was conducted by Censuswide with a sample of 2,014 UK parents (18+) of children aged 8-15. The survey fieldwork took place between 15.04.2024 - 19.04.2024. Additional research was further conducted by Censuswide with a sample of 2,001 UK parents with at least one child aged 8-15. This survey fieldwork took place between 31.05.2024 - 06.06.2024. Censuswide abide by and employ members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles and are members of The British Polling Council.
Polling Footnotes
1 "Somewhat concerned” and “Very concerned” answers combined
2 "Somewhat unconfident” and “very unconfident” answers combined
3 "Somewhat more of a threat” and “much more of a threat” answers combined
4 Inverse of “Adjust privacy setting on social media”
5 Inverse of “Update passwords”